The preservation of Christian holy places and the protection of Christian minorities in Israel and the Palestinian territories are among Italy's foreign policy priorities, foreign minister Antonio Tajani said on Tuesday.
“The promotion of freedom of religion and support for Christian communities are a priority of the Italian government’s foreign policy,” a foreign ministry cited Tajani as saying during a visit to Jerusalem.
Tajani made the remarks during a meeting with Latin Patriarch, Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton in Jerusalem, that was "fruitful and friendly", said the statement.
During the talks, Tajani assured Pizzaballa of Italy's "utmost support" for his efforts to foster interreligious dialogue and peace, the statement said.
Tajani raised the safeguarding of Christians in the region in his talks in with Israel's president Isaac Herzog and with the Palestinian Authority, during his visit, the minister told Pizzaballa, according to the statement.
